The Illinois Senate voted unanimously Thursday to convict former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in his impeachment trial, making him the first Illinois governor to ever be removed from office by way of impeachment. He has also been barred from ever again holding public office in Illinois. UPDATED 5 p.m.

State Capitol Bureau

5 p.m.: Senate bars Blagojevich from holding public office

Following up on the 59-0 vote to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from his current post as governor, the Illinois Senate just voted unanimously to forbid him from ever again holding public office in Illinois.

Former Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn now is Illinois' governor. He is expected to take the oath of office shortly so he can assume gubernatorial powers.

State Capitol Bureau

4:55 p.m.: Blagojevich unanimously convicted

The Illinois Senate voted unanimously Thursday to convict former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in his impeachment trial, making him the first Illinois governor to ever be removed from office by way of impeachment.

The Senate actually voted twice. The tally on Blagojevich's fate ran into some technical troubles when Senate President John Cullerton's vote was not electronically recorded, so a re-vote took place.

The conviction capped a stunning six-week series of events that started with Blagojevich’s arrest on federal corruption charges. The Illinois House moved quickly, impeaching Blagojevich by an overwhelming margin in early January.

The Senate heard four days of testimony this week before voting 59-0 to remove the governor. Former Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn immediately became governor at the conclusion of the vote.

Blagojevich, 52, gave his own closing argument Thursday, giving an impassioned 45-minute speech where he proclaimed his innocence of any wrongdoing and reiterated his argument that he was trying to do the right thing for the people of Illinois. House prosecutor David Ellis, in a short rebuttal, hammered away at the governor’s defense by repeatedly citing examples that he said show the former governor’s public persona is not supported by his actions in private.

Blagojevich’s problems are not over. He still faces a criminal investigation into allegations of corruption in his administration.

Blagojevich and his former chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested Dec. 9. Blagojevich is accused of wide-ranging corruption, including trying to shake down a children’s hospital CEO for a campaign contribution by withholding funds and attempting to force the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers in exchange for the state’s help in selling Wrigley Field, which is owned by the newspaper’s parent company.

But the most shocking revelation was the accusation that Blagojevich tried to auction off the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. According to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich attempted to use his ability to appoint a replacement to trade an appointment to the Senate for a better job for himself or his wife.

Although the criminal charges were a part of the impeachment order, the General Assembly focused more on Blagojevich’s contentious relationship with the Legislature and accusations that he blatantly abused his power. Among the charges were accusations that he repeatedly circumvented the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and that he violated state and federal laws on hiring employees.

Blagojevich has said repeatedly that the Senate trial was an unfair process that deprived him of his Constitutional rights, and he boycotted the trial until Thursday, instead traveling to New York to make several TV appearances to air his grievances. Among his complaints was that the Senate would not let him call witnesses. The Senate rules did allow for the calling of witnesses, but Fitzgerald refused to Blagojevich to call witnesses who may be involved in the criminal investigation.

State Capitol Bureau

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.